ESPN reports:

FIFA on Thursday reiterated fans will not be prohibited from bringing rainbow flags inside of Seattle’s Lumen Field for Friday’s decisive Group G World Cup match between Egypt and Iran, despite objections from each country’s respective federations. Seattle PrideFest, which has been organized in the city since 2007 by a nonprofit, designated the June 26 game for celebration before FIFA made the World Cup draw. But leaders in each nation’s football federations publicly rebuked the idea, saying such events clashed with their cultural and religious values.

“The FIFA World Cup 2026 is an inclusive event that welcomes people from all backgrounds,” FIFA said in a statement on Thursday. “Fans of all sexual orientations and gender identities are welcome at matches and events.” FIFA on Thursday referred reporters to previous commentary on the matter made by FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

“First of all, I must clarify that there will be no “Pride Match” at the World Cup. There will be a FIFA World Cup match in Seattle, and on the same day, events organised by external organizations will be taking place in the city. But that has nothing to do with the match itself.”

The Associated Press reports:

Before the Iranian coach and goalkeeper answered any questions Thursday ahead of the team’s World Cup match with Egypt, a FIFA official spoke up. Daniel Marin, FIFA’s executive director of public relations, read a statement on behalf of the Iranian team in light of the Pride celebration in Seattle on Friday. Egypt and Iran are two of the most repressive places in the world for LGBTQ people, but they coincidentally will play each other while the host city honors the LGBTQ+ community.

“This Islamic Republic of the Iran Football Federation has asked us to inform the media that they are only willing to answer questions in relation to the game,” Marin said. In December, both countries asked for the Pride-themed celebrations to be canceled. FIFA treats the rainbow flag as a statement of human rights and will allow fans to wave it inside the stadium, according to Hana Tadesse, a spokesperson for Seattle’s World Cup organizing committee.

Earlier this week hate group leader Bill Donohue raged that “LGBTQ imperialists will impose their depraved agenda” on World Cup fans by existing outside the stadium.